I got on very well with Derek. When he got banned from here I invited him on to the Buskers Cafe where he was allowed to get drunk to his heart's content. When he was sober he praised me to the skies so naturally I liked him even more.

Derek (as D. Derek Verner) is a legend in the model train world. Beginning in the 70's, he wrote some benchmark articles in assorted model train publications. He is praised to this day by contemporary train modelers.

Edward's home was where Dai lived his last couple of years, and where he was living when he passed away.

Thanks Joe. There was an earlier one, one of the first he participated in, where he talked about how his mother didn't like magicians in the house, but Garrick Spencer and (I think) Francis Carlyle were always welcome. This wasn't stated there, but I believe Spencer was somewhat of a financial benefactor for Vernon at that point. I'd like to find that thread, but I'm coming up empty.